This doctoral study is framed within the process-outcome research tradition of person-centered, experiential, and existential approaches to psychotherapy (Angus et al., 2014; Elliott, Watson, Goldberg, & Greenberg, 2004; Gendlin, 1973, 1996; Rogers, 1961; Vos, 2018; Yalom, 1980).

The current study will focus on the existential layer – with special attention for meaning-processes – in counseling an psychotherapy. On the one hand there is the question which existential processes and themes emerge in psychotherapy. On the other hand there is the

question which client-therapist interactions, attitudes, and concrete interventions at what time are helpful or hindering in order for the existential layer to unfold.